question to parents teaching religous practice to their children..?

Question

though i am not religious, i have studied (and continue to study) religion very in-depth. i have to say that the thing that "irks" me the most about religion is the belief of absolute truth that people have about their particular religion, that they pass on to their children. i was curious if any of you out there could reassure me or share how you teach your own children about your religion? do you make it clear to them that there are other people out there with different beliefs, and teach them about those beliefs too? personally, the existance of religions other than catholocism was never even mentioned to me when i was younger.. i just need to know that there are people out there that are sharing the big picture with their kids.

Answer 1

I don't have children yet, but I plan to. And when I do, I plan on teaching them the fundamentals (at the very least) of all major faith's (and some not so major). Because I don't think there's merely "one" true path to the Divine, I will encourage them to seek out and choose their own way.

I feel it's absolutely essential to encouraging tolerance and understanding among their peers. I think it's good for them to understand what makes people think differently, and what our similarities are. As they grow into adults and enter the work force, they will be that much more prepared to handle the dynamics of a multi-cultural environment.

Answer 2

As soon as my daughter is old enough to understand, I will start teaching her about religions. I will tell her what I believe and give her information on other religions. I believe that she is too young at 2 to have anything to do with religion. Better that she be a happy, well-adjusted, growing child than one who is brainwashed into one way of life by indoctrinating her at such a young age. I think that perhaps when she goes to school I will begin, although I don't really remember having many in-depth religious conversations before high school anywhere except in church, and then I was often confused. I don't want my daughter walking around in a haze of confusion. I will teach her to be good and polite to others, and I think that's all she needs right now. Let her ponder theology at a different age, when she can understand that truth is not a finite thing.

Answer 3

Three ways. a) Formal practices: go to church, re-inforce catechism studies at home. b) by example, as Catholics and Christians, we try to live our lives to reflect the teachings that we were brought up with, be kind, understanding, respectful etc..not saying we're perfect, we have all our challenges but we try our best and finally c) kids are smart they know many around them don't share the same belief system, we acknowledge other religions and teach them more of the positive similarities between faiths rather than the differences. Not to do so would just promote narrow-mindedness and prejudice against other religions...tolerance and understanding of other faiths gives our children a better view of the world. You'd be surprised how much you can learn from other religions

Answer 4

I grew up in a country where other religions exist pretty clearly. So even though my parents didn't mention it, I would still notice and ask them questions. I have a maid with different religion living in my house when I grew up.
My parents taught me the religion - not saying it's the only truth and the others are false, but saying that this religion is the one fits them the most. They also taught me to be tolerant because that's how we're gonna show other people of other religion about us and what we believed in.

Answer 5

I think that no matter what faith your family practices, there should come a time when a kid should be told that not everyone believes the same way. You dont neccesarily have to describe each religion in detail, but maybe let them know that there are many faiths in the world, and that just because you may not agree with someone in that area, doesnt mean you should condemn them. I think if more people stressed that, we'd have a lot more peace abou the topic.

Answer 6

My kids are small, 9,6 and twin 3 year olds. My ex-husband takes them to his strict Baptist church every other weekend. I usually end up undoing the damage that causes, with the strict beliefs they pass on. Right now, its mostly my 9 year old.

At home, they know I believe in God and Jesus, and I tell them what I believe, and what others think, and even what atheists think. I try to give her all the points. Now, shes 9, so she still looks up to me, so she kinda believes what I say. But it has always been important to me to let them decide. If, when she is older, she cant get the answers she is seeking from me, I will encourage all of them to find what they are looking for, in whatever faith, or non-faith they should desire.

I'd be lying if I said I didnt want them to believe like me (I am a pretty open minded, tolerant Christian), but I can only teach them. I expect all my kids to use their own minds to seek out what they believe, what they want to follow, and as long as it brings them happiness, I'm fine with that. Whether it be no religion, strong religion, or whatever choices they make. I want them to know my way is not the only way.

Answer 7

my thought is that you should raise your child with the religious background that you were brought up in.
i was baptized a catholic when i was young (mother) and went to catholic shools (grade&high) growing up but i also went to greek orthodox church (dad) as well. a few years ago i converted to greek orthodox. my fiancee has a son (we have him full time) he is baptized catholic, but we go to both churches (the greeks and the catholics used to be one church) but his main religion is catholic (decided by his dad and mother) and i try to teach him more of that way and show him some of my own and answer any questions of both, and he doesnt have a problem with it and also he doesnt get confused or anything on those lines as well. you can still teach him about other religions tho, as i was taught growing up too. you sound like you are unsure about what you believe tho, so i'm not sure if this helps you, but i hope it does a little anyway : )
my only strong point on the subject is, is that he does need spiritual upbringing in what ever religion you feel strongly about, and when he is an adult he can decide at that point what he should do if chooses something else. 9 times out of 10 they stay in the religion they were raised in, but habits do change as to how frequent they attend once they get older.

Answer 8

I am Christian, but I don't attend organized church. I study the scriptures in the original languages almost daily, using all of the necessary tools to do so. My children are exposed to this, but they are also very aware that this is MY choice to do this. They are not forced into any belief system, and know that I will not judge them for whatever path they choose as long as they are good people.

They receive education on all forms of religion, and I encourage them to seek their own truth. If they are called to my God, they will find Him. If they aren't, it isn't my place to drag them to Him. It wouldn't work if I did, since according to my beliefs He has to call them in the first place.

My children are taught that religion is an individual pursuit, and one that should never be shoved down their throats.

Answer 9

God's word (the Bible) is the basis for religious belief. If all religious people followed God’s word then there would be no divisions. God began His church on the day of Pentecost after Jesus' death. Jesus is the head of the church. The Catholic church came about from those early Christians who were not satisfied with the way the Lord set up His own church. Some other religious beliefs came from the Catholic church. We have so many different religious beliefs (divisions) because people want to do things their way instead of God’s way. According to God’s word, there is only one church sanctioned by God. That is the church that Christ died for. The one that He is head over.

As to your question, I taught my children to believe in God and that the Bible is God’s word. Through their religious training, they learned of other religious beliefs. It wasn’t told so that they would have a choice, because as children, they didn’t have a choice. But, it was told to them so that they could understand about false doctrine. As adults, they can take whatever path they so choose. Likewise, children that are taught false doctrine can make a choice, as adults, to obey God or to continue down a path to destruction.

Answer 10

What the first responder said was pure hooy! I was raised being able to participate in many different belief systems, because my parents knew that what I chose would come from my heart and not neccessarily be the same as they felt. Most of the people I know have many different holy books in their homes, take the kids to many rituals, celebrations and classes to teach as much as possible. I am Pagan, but my daughter, though she understands and likes alot about it, considers herself a Christo-pagan-science baby. Who am I to dictate how diety and she will be with each other? You don't shove something that personal down someones throat. If it's real and right you shouldn't have to. We're all different, so how can one deity be what we all need?